About This Project

Previous research into cognitive dissonance and self-perception theory suggests that a persons actions can affect their attitudes and impressions of objects(Fazio, 1977). No current research, however, investigates if these phenomena also function as they may relate to people. The current research will investigate the question "If person A is empathetic and/or generous to person B, do person A's impressions of person B become more favorable?"

Ask the Scientists

What is the context of this research?

Cognitive Dissonance Theory and Self-Perception Theory suggest that a person's thoughts and actions can affect their attitudes and impressions (Fazio, 1977). In one study, children were asked to rate toys. The next week, the same children were given the opportunity to choose one of these toys to keep and then asked to rate the toys again. After choosing a toy, the children rated their chosen toy more favorably than they did in the first round, and rated the other toys lower than they did in the first round. The act of choosing one toy changed the children's impressions of all the toys (Brehm, & Cohen, 1959). Effects like this have been found in multiple contexts for decades(Harmon, 2019). However, none of those studies investigated if this effect functions in relation to other people.

What is the significance of this project?

This project is significant because it may contribute to our understanding of impression formation. While most people would like to be around people that we have positive impressions of (ex. a kind, loving family and supportive boss), there is little research investigating what role each of us play in forming our impressions of the people around us. If indeed this study finds that our empathy and generosity affect our impressions of people around us, then future research can investigate what each of us can do in order to have positive impressions of the people in our lives.

What are the goals of the project?

I will have participants take part in an online survey where they think they are interacting with another person, but in fact it is just a pre-programmed strategy. I will use a 2 (Empathy: present or absent) by 2 (Opportunity to give: immediate or delayed) between-participants design. First, participants will be either inspired to feel empathy for this "other player" (or not) with a method similar to Batson and Ahmad, 2001. Then, if the player is in the immediate opportunity to give condition, they will have the opportunity to divide $3 between themselves and the other participant and then go on to fill out impressions questionnaires. Or, if they are in the delayed condition, they will first fill out impressions and then divide the $3.